On former Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh losing his salary, title (scrub to 2:10)

“I’m in the midst of some pretty serious discussions with rank-and-file employees about their terms and conditions and compensation. And from my years in federal government ... the higher up you go, the more responsible you’re supposed to be. And so, Mr. Pugh is a leader. He’s the president of the council, his conduct should be exemplary, as an example for other employees. And going missing in action at a critical time in the city’s development on council, I felt, was inappropriate.”

On creditors looking for ways to generate cash(Scrub 10:40)

Orr said creditors are looking at the city’s number of full-time employees. That isn’t productive, Orr said. “Mayor (Dave) Bing reduced the city’s work force by 2,300 FTEs (full-time equivalent positions) We’ve lost over 200 FTEs just since I’ve been here. We can’t get much leaner.”

Another way to look at Detroit’s debt (scrub to 13:40)

If the city used its cash — about $200 million-$250 million a year — to pay for only police, fire and EMS, Orr said, it would take Detroit 68 years to pay down all of its debt.